P2143576.JPG, originally uploaded by cuinceylon.

There are people who have money and people who are rich.
— Coco Chanel

(Watch for Carinish, my new sock pattern, available from Three Irish Girls this fall!)

My experience at WordPress taught me a few things…

1. It’s nice to have a blog on which you can put PDF files of patterns.
2. WordPress isn’t as quick and easy to use as Blogger (for me, that is…)
3. Sometimes, the best choice is not to choose!

What does that mean, you ask?

• I am going to keep my Knit*Six blog at WordPress, where I will post patterns with PDF files for your knitting enjoyment.
• I am going to continue/go back to using Blogger for my “daily/weekly/monthly” blog updates so that I can post photos more easily, for your viewing enjoyment.
• Finally, it means that–if you enjoy my sporadic posts–you’ll need to change your RSS feeds/bookmarks back to my “old” Blogger Knit*Six blog.

Thanks for hanging in there with me while I gave WordPress a trial run. I hope you’ll continue checking in with me at my new-old Knit*Six blog to see what’s going on in my little knitting/crocheting/spinning corner of the world!

Hugs to all of you :-)

Hannah

Sunrise in Brunswick, originally uploaded by knitsixdesigns.

Here’s the photo I linked to in my last post. Isn’t it pretty? The contrast between the cold gray foreground and the rosy hills was striking. BTW: The Applalachian Trail runs along the top of the glowing ridge.

I’m still learning how best to post photos to WordPress…Sizing is the issue. I use iPhotos. Any suggestions?

I’ve posted a few “new house” photos since we moved, so I’m sure you’re all rather sick of looking at the same landscape. But when I saw the sun making the distant hills rosy this morning, with twilight still in the foreground, I had to snap a few. Check it out here: Sunrise

Finally, lest you think I’ve been letting my knitting slide, here are a couple of photos. First, the “Frozen Feet” socks, made out of 100 percent alpaca. These suckers are going to be W.A.R.M.

Next, a quick pair of “Fetching” gloves:

I designed a neck warmer to go with them, but haven’t taken photos of it yet. I’ll try to be good about writing it up, because it turned out to be quite cute!

Hey, did you notice the fab Fiesta Ware sugar and creamer set in the Fetching photo? LOVE the color!!! And the price…I found the set for $15 at an antique store in Cape May, NJ last fall. Fun ;-)

Well, back to work. Duty calls, and all that. Until later, happy knitting!

PS. I HATE how WordPress works with photos! But Blogger doesn’t let me post PDF files of my patterns for you…So. What’s a girl to do? Guess I have some research to do on blog options. If anyone has suggestions, I’m open to hearing them!

Darling Maggie, sweetest and smartest of all kitties.

Constant companion, closest friend.

We will miss you with all our hearts.

And you’ll be with us, always.

P1171345.JPG, originally uploaded by cuinceylon.

Some tranquil winter inspiration…

Here’s a little taste of what’s to come… Enjoy!

Spinning Step by Step: How to use a drop spindle

Calming. Centering. Relaxing. These are just a few of the words spinners use to describe how they feel as fiber passes through their fingers, miraculously turning into yarn through the alchemy of hand spinning. Soon, you’ll enjoy the same creative sensations…AND you’ll be knitting with yarn you made yourself!

Getting Ready
Always remember: there’s a reason it’s called a “drop spindle.” That’s right: You will drop your spindle while you’re learning, and even afterward. So make sure you have a nice cup of tea (or glass of wine!) by your side, and try to be patient with yourself. Spinning is an ancient art form—you can learn the basics in a short time, yet spend years mastering the craft and creating new types of yarn.

What else do you need?

• Your drop spindle
• Some fiber (wool is usually easiest to learn with)
• A comfortable, supportive chair (not a cushy one…a wooden kitchen chair will work nicely)

Click here for the full PDF version of the Drop Spindle Tutorial

NOTE: The gorgeous spindle in the tutorial was made by Jonathan Bosworth.

“Mohairs are positive and confident. You always strive to make a good first impression because you are a proud person, and you care a good deal about what people think of you. You are careful with your words and are always tactful. You enjoy having a broad base of support and respect from those whom you come in contact. You attract this with your warm, sunny, and inquisitive personality.”
(Source: PotterCraft”s Fiber Quiz)

You can find your yarn alter-ego here…If you do, leave a comment to let me know what fiber type you are!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend with lots of time for relaxing with your knitting and a soothing cup of tea…Cheers!

“…It is time to rethink what makes a good blog and the expectations that have come to be part of it. I am thinking that no one should utter those words ahttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gifgain . . .and with that thought I give you Blogging Without Obligation.”

Enjoy your time!

So now I’m recovering from exhaustion and getting my creative mojo back! Meanwhile, here’s something to pass a cloudy, chilly day (aside from unpacking boxes), which I got from Lynne…

Puttin’ my feet up

A FEW THINGS ABOUT ME

Are you a yarn snob? Kind of…but not too much. I just love QUALITY, and sometimes that includes a bit of man-made something or other. Like most knitters these days, I’ll pass on the novelty yarns.

Do you spin? Crochet? Yes, I do spin. I have a Kromski Sonata, which I LOVE! Now that we’ve moved out of the city, I want to spend more time on spinning so I can sell my handspun. Crochet? I’m not a very sophisticated crocheter, but I’m handy enough with a hook :-)

How long have you been knitting? Seven years.

What other crafts do you like to do? Sketching, painting, sewing, making stitch markers and jewelry, and I want to learn how to make paper and bind books

What are your favorite yarns to knit with? Alpaca, Pear Tree Merino (soft as cashmere!), Socks That Rock (the original kind…I love the springy feel), basically anything soft and pretty

What are your favorite needles to knit with? KnitPicks traditional 32″ circulars for socks, Addi Turbos for anything else…

What’s your favorite knitting gadget? My Royal ball winder and Swedish umbrella swift

What fibers do you absolutely NOT like? Cheap acrylic that squeaks and feels like it’s leaving microscopic cuts in my fingers; those good old fuzzy novelty yarns; and linen (I tried Euroflax Sport, but it was not a fun experience…maybe I did something wrong?)

What are your favorite items to knit? Fingerless gloves; socks; interesting scarves; and I’m looking forward to making tops and sweaters when I can afford to buy that much yarn at one time!

What are you knitting right now? Two pairs of socks I’m designing, one hat I’m designing, a tea cozy, Leigh Radford’s Tube Scarf, a hand-spun shawl, and I’m almost done with a pair of “Fetching” gloves made of Pear Tree Merino

What do you think about ponchos? I don’t know if I’d wear one outside the house, but I think they’d be comfy for lounging around knitting in front of the telly!

Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Definitely circular

Are you a sock knitter? Oh, yes! I really enjoy knitting cuff down, but I’m pushing myself to add other sock-knitting techniques to my arsenal ;-)

How did you learn to knit? Wish I had a cozy story about my grandma teaching me, but honestly, I’m entirely self-taught (I originally learned with a Leisure Arts booklet, a pair of US#10 aluminum straight needles, and a skein of Pepto-Bismol pink Red Heart acrylic yarn from JoAnn Fabrics

What is–and how old is–your oldest UFO (unfinished Object)? It’s that damn Tube Scarf from AlterKnits…I mean, really! Six feet of stockinette in the round with lace-weight yarn? Yawn. But I’m determined to finish it. I keep wondering if I should put all other projects aside and just push through it, since I love the finished scarf (and so do other knitters who’ve finished theirs!)

Well…unpacking, laundry, and other fun awaits me.

Happy Knitting!